Electrical control apparatus



' Dec. 1 9, 1944.

-A. L. JEROME 2,365,641

ELECTRICAL CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Feb. 6, 1943 15 I QUE? [6 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 19, 1944 ELECTRICAL CONTROL APPARATUS Arthur L. Jerome, Edgewood, Pa., assignor to The Union Switch & Signal Company, Swissvale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 6, 1943, Serial No. 475,036

8 Claims.

My invention relates to electrical control apparatus and particularly to apparatus for effecting one function when a control circuit is energized by current of one relative polarity and another function when the control circuit is energized by current of the other relative polarity.

An object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the type described which includes a polar relay and an auxiliary relay energizedin multiple from a pair of conductors to Which energy of one polarity is supplied at one time, and to which energy of the other polarity is supplied at other times.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the type described in which the circuit of the auxiliary relay is controlled b contacts of the polar relaylso that the contacts of the auxiliary rela will not pick up unless the contacts of the polar relay are in a position corresponding to the polarity of the current supplied to the conductors.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the type described which is arranged so that on a change in the polarity of the energy supplied to the control conductors the contacts of the auxiliary relay will remain picked up during movement of the contacts of the polar relay between their two positions. Other objects of the invention and. features of novelty will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

I shall describe two forms of apparatus embodying my invention and shall then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a diagram of one form of apparatus embodying m invention, and I Fig. 2 is a diagram of a modification which I may employ;

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the two views.

In practicing my invention I' employ a polar relay and an auxiliary relay which are energized in multiple from a pair of control conductors to which energy of normal polarity is supplied at one time and to which energy of the other polarity issupplied at other times. Asymmetric units are connected in the circuit of the winding of the auxiliary relay and prevent flowof energy through the relay winding except when energy of a particular polarit is supplied to the relay winding, While the supply of energy from the control conductors to the winding of the auxiliary relay is governed by a contact or contacts of the polar relay so that energy of the particular polarity is supplied to the auxiliary relay when and only when the contacts of the polar relay are in the position corresponding to the polarity of the energy supplied to the control conductors. In addition, one of the asymmetric units associated with the auxiliary relay provides a snubbing circuit for the relay which serves to maintain the relay contacts picked up on a change in the polarity of the energy supplied to the control conductors.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, the refer ence character P designates a polar relay, the winding of which is supplied with current over a pair of control conductors I4 and I5, while the supply of energ to these conductors is controlled by pole changing contacts [0 and II. The control conductors l4 and 15 may be line wires of a line circuit, or they may he the tracl; rails of a section of railway track; while the pole changing contacts l0 and H may be manually operated, or they may be the contacts of a relay or of a signal mechanism. The polar relay P has polar contacts I6 and I! which are moved to their normal or left-hand position or to their reverse or right-hand position according as energy of normal or reverse polarity is supp-lied to the rela winding.

The auxiliary relay N may be of the type shown in Letters Patent of the United States No. 2,203,888 to Harry E. Ashworth, and is arranged so that its contacts when released become picked up when and only when energy flows through the relay winding in a given direction, as for example from its first or left-hand to its second or right-hand terminal.

The left-hand terminal of the winding of relay N is connected through asymmetric unit Kl to the first controlwire l5, and through asymmetric unit K2 to the second control wire l4. Each of these asymmetric units is arranged to permit flow of energy from'the associated control wire to the relay winding and to prevent ilow of energy in the opposite direction. The contact l'6' of relay P connects the right-hand terminal of the winding of relay 'N to the wire H1 or the wire l5 according as the contact is in its normal or its reverse position.

An asymmetric unit K3 is connected across the terminals of the winding of relay N and is poled to permit flow of energy from the right-hand to the left-hand terminal of the relay winding. The asymmetric unit K3 serves to snub the relay N and make it slow to release.

The contact I8 of relay N and contact [1 of relay P may cooperate in any desired manner, as for example to control the circuits of the lamps of a signal S.

The equipment is shown in the condition which it assumes when energy of normal polarity is supplied to the control wires I4 and I5. At this time the positive terminal of the source is connected by contact ID to wire I 5 and the negative terminal of the source is connected by contact H to wire 14. The energy supplied over wires 14 and I5 to relay P causes the contacts of this relay to occupy their left-hand or normal positions, so that energy is supplied to the winding of relay N over the circuit which is traced from wire I5 through asymmetric unit KI, winding of relay N from its left-hand terminal to its right-hand terminal, and normal polar contact I6 of relay P to wire I4. Accordingly contact [8 of relay N is picked up and establishes the circuit including normal polar contact I! of relay P for supplying energy to the green lamp G of the signal S.

The energy for lighting the signal lamps may be supplied from any suitable source of current, not shown, the terminals of which are designated B and C in the drawing.

On movement of the contacts l and I I to their other positions the energy supplied to line wires I4 and I is changed from normal to reverse polarity, and on this change in the polarity of the energy supplied to the winding of relay P its contacts move from their normal to their reverse positions. The wires I4 and I 5 are connected directly to the winding of relay P so that energy continues to be supplied to the relay winding during movement of the relay contacts between their two positions. This insures that the relay contacts will respond to a change in the polarity of the energy supplied to the relay, and that the relay contacts will complete their movement from one position to the other.

When the contact l6 of relay P is in its reverse posit on the circuit for supplying energy to the winding of relay N is again complete, and is traced from the positive terminal of the source over contact l0, wire I4, asymmetric unit K2, winding of relay N from its left-hand terminal to its right-hand terminal, reverse polar contact I6 of relay P, wire I5, and contact H to the negative terminal of the source. This energy flows through the winding of relay N in the direction effective to maintain the relay contact picked up, so contact 18 of relay N establishes the circuit including reverse polar contact I! of relay P for supplying energy to the yellow lamp Y of signal S.

The equipment operates in a similar manner on a change in the energy supplied to the line wires from reverse to normal polarity.

On interruption of the supply of energy over the line wires the contact 18 of relay N releases and establ shes the circuit of the red lamp R of signal S.

The equipment is arranged so that the contact of relay N will remain picked up on a change in the polarity of the energy supplied to the control circuit.

When energy of normal polarity is supplied to the control wires and the contacts of relay P are in their normal positions. energy is supplied from wires I4 and I 5 to the windin of relay N through asymmetric unit KI and normal polar contact l6 of relay P. On movement of the pole changing contacts In and I I the supply of energy to the winding of relay N is interrupted, but asymmetric unit K3 provides a snubbing circuit for the relay winding, and thus delays the release of the relay winding. The various parts of the equipment are proportioned so that the snubbing circuit provided by asymmetric unit K3 prevents release of the contact of relay N long enough for the contacts of relay P to respond to a change in the polarity of the energy supplied to the control wires and thus reestablish the supply of energy to the relay N.

When the pole changing contacts II] and II are moved to the, position to supply energy of reverse polarity to wires H and I5, and before the polar contacts of relay P respond to the changein the polarity of the energy supplied to the line wires, the positive terminal of the source is connected over wire M and normal polar contact l6 of relay P to the right-hand terminal of the Winding of relay N. However, the connection from the left-hand terminal of the winding of relay N to wire l5 includes the asymmetric unit KI in series therewith, and this unit is poled to prevent flow of energy therethrough from the winding of relay N to wire l5. Accordingly, energy cannot flow through the winding of relay N from its right-hand to its left-hand terminal at this time. If energy should flow through the relay winding in this direction it would reduce the flux in the relay core and cause release of the relay contact.

In addition, at this time energy may flow from wire I4 through asymmetric unit K2 to the left hand terminal of the winding of relay N and to the output terminal of asymmetric unit KI. The asymmetric unit K2, therefore, shunts the winding of relay N with respect to energy of reverse polarity flowing through the relay winding, and thus provides additional protection against flow of energy through the winding of relay N in the direction to reverse the flux in the relay core. Furthermore, the winding of relay N is shunted by asymmetric unit K3 which additionally prevents fiow of energy through the relay winding in the reverse direction.

When the contacts of relay P move to their reverse positions contact I6 establishes connection from the right-hand terminal of the winding of relay N to wire l5 so that energy is again supplied to the winding of relay N, and flows through the winding from its left-hand to its right-hand terminal so that the contact of relay I8 is maintained picked up.

At this time asymmetric unit KI prevents short circuiting of the line wires l4 and I5 with resultant shuntin of the relays P and N.

As the contact I8 of relay N remains picked up on a change in the energy supplied to the control wires from normal to reverse polarity, the circuit of the red lamp R of signal S is interrupted, and there is no momentary flash of this lamp, as would occur if the contact of relay N should release and then pick up again.

The equipment operates in a similar manner on a change in the energy supplied to the control wires from reverse to normal polarity. At such times asymmetric unit K2 prevents flow of energy through the winding of relay N in the reverse direction, while asymmetric units KI and K3 shunt the winding of relay N to further prevent the flow of energy through the relay winding in the reverse direction. In addition, the asymmetric unit K3 provides a snubbing circuit for the relay N to delay release of the relay contacts long enough to permit relay P to respond to the change in the. polarity of; the: energy supplied to the control wires; while the asymmetric unit K2 prevents short. circuiting of! the. control wires and resultant shunting of both of the relays P and N.

The equipment is arranged. so that failure of an asymmetric unit will not cause improperoperation of the apparatus.

The unit Kl is: included in. series with the circuit for supplying energy to relay N when energy of normal polarity is. supplied to the control wires. while the unit K2 is included. in series with the circuit for supplying energy to relay N when energy of reverse polarity is supplied to the control wires. Accordingly, if the circuit through either of these units is. open, energy will not be supplied to relay N when energy of one polarity is supplied to the control wires, and the contact of relay N will. remain released and established the circuit of the red lamp R of. signal S.

Similarly, if either of these asymmetric units breaks down and permits energy of the wrong polarity to be supplied therethrough, the wires l 4 and I5 will. be short circuited when energy of one polarity is supplied to the wires l4 and I5, and the contact of relay N will remain released. and wi l establish the circuit of the red lamp R of signal S, while a change. in the position of the contacts of the relay P will be prevented.

If the asymmetric. unit. K3 breaks down and permits energy to flow therethrough in the reverse direction, it will shunt, relay N and the contact of relay N will. remain. released. The unit K3 may be connected in the circuit. of relay N in the manner well known. in the the art with elements of the rectifier in. series with the connections leading to the relay N to insure that the asymmetric unit is connected across the terminals of the relay as long as the circuit for supplying energy to'relay Nis present. v

This equipment is arranged so that the relay N checks the relay P and if for any reason the relay P fails to respond to a change in the polarity of the energy supplied to the control Wires the contact of relay N will release. If the contact l6 of relay P remains in its normal position when energy of reverse polarity is supplied. to the wires l4 and I5, energy will not be supplied to the winding of rela N and after a short period the contact of relay'N will release. Similarly, if contact iii of relay P remains in its reverse position when energy of normal polarity'is supplied to the wires l4 and I5, energy will not, be supplied to relay N and its contact will. remain released.

The modification shown in Fi 2 is similar to that shown in- Fig. 1 but differs therefrom in that the supply of energy to relay N is controlled by two contacts of relay P, while an asymmetric unit K4 is provided to prevent short circuiting of the line wires. 5

The equipment is shown in the condition which it. assumes when energy of normal polarity is'supplied to the wires l4 and I5,v that is when the positive terminal of the source is connected to wire l5. This energy causes the contacts of relay P to occupy their normal. positions with the resuit that energy is supplied to relay N over the circuit which is traced from wire i5 over normal polar contact lfia of: relay P, asymmetric unit K4.

winding of relayN from its left-hand to its righthand terminal, and normal polar contact I611 to wire. l4. Accordingly, contact l8 of relay N is picked up and may cooperate with polar contact Ill of relay P in the samemanner as in the modification shown in Fig. 1. i

On a change in the polarity of the energy supplied to the control wires the contacts of relay P move to their reverse positions. When the contacts of relay P complete their movement to their 5 reverse positions energy is supplied to the winding of relay N over the circuit which is traced from wire l4 over reverse polar contact lfib of relay P, asymmetric unit K4, through winding of relay N from its left-hand to its right-hand terminal, and reverse polar contacts 16a to wire l5.

On subsequent supply of energy of normal polarity to the control wires the contacts of relay P move to their normal positions and reestablish the circuit traced above for supplying energy to the relay N.

The asymmetric unit K3 provides a snubbing circuit for the relay N to delay release of its contacts for a period long enoughto permit the contacts of relay P to respond to a change in the polarity of the energy supplied to the relay, while it also prevents flow of energy of the wrong polarity through the winding of relay N and thus assists relay N in checking response of relay P to changes in the polarity of the energy supplied to the control wires.

The asymmetric unit K4 prevents flow of energy in the reverse direction through the circuits associated with relay N. On the supply of energy of reverse polarity to the line wires when the contacts of relay P are in their normal positions, the positive terminal of the source is connected over wire l4 and normal polar contact 5b to the righthand terminal of the winding of relay N until. the relay P responds to the change in the polarity of the energy supplied to the line circuit. If the unit K4 were not present energy would flow from the right-hand terminal of the winding of relay N through the relay winding, or through the asymmetric unit K3, and over contact Ilia to wire l5. The unit K4, therefore, prevents flow of energy through the winding of relay N in the wrong direc tion, while. it also prevents short circuiting of the line wires.

The unit K4 operates in a similar manner on the supply of energy of normal polarity to the wires l4 and I 5 when the contacts of relay P are in their reverse positions.

The equipment of Fig. 2 is arranged so tha failure of either of the asymmetric units will not cause improper operation of the apparatus.

If the unit K3 breaks down and permits energy to flow therethrough in the reverse direction, it will shunt the relay N and the contact of relay N will not pick up. The unit K3 may be con- 55 nected in the circuit of relay N in such manner as to insure that the unit will be connected across the terminals of the relay winding if the circuit for supplying energy to the relay winding is complete.

If the unit K4 breaksv down, the winding of relay N will be short cir-cuited. through unit K3 and the contact of relay N will remain. released. The unit K4. is included in series with the circuit of relay N so that if the circuit through the unit 55 K4 is interrupted energy will not be supplied to the relay N and its contact will remain released.

The modification shown in Fig. '2, like that shown in Fig, 1, is arranged so that the relay N checks the relay P; and if for any reason the relay P fails to respond to a change in the polarity of the energy supplied to the control wires, the contact of relay N will release.

When energy of reverse polarity is supplied to wires l4 and I5 and the contacts of relay P are in their normal positions, the positive terminal of the source is connected over wire [4 and normal polar contact lBb to the right-hand terminal of the winding of relay N. Flow of energy through the relay winding is prevented by asymmetric unit K4, while even if unit K4 should break down and permit flow of energy, the relay N is shunted by asymmetric unit K3 and very little energy would flow through the relay winding. Furthermore, the energy which fiows through the winding of relay N at this time flows in the wrong direction to pick up the relay contact so the relay contact will release.

The equipment operates in a similar manner if on the supply of energy of normal polarity to the wires I4 and I5 when the contacts of relay P are in their reverse positions, the relay P fails to respond to the change in the polarity of the energy supplied thereto and its contacts remain in their reverse positions.

Although I have herein shown and described only two forms of electrical control apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of m invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination, a first and a second control conductor, means for at times supplying to said conductors energy of normal polarity in which the positive terminal of the source is connected to said first conductor and for at other times supplying to said conductors energy of reverse polarity in which the positive terminal of the source is connected to said second conductor, a polar relay having its winding connected across said conductors and having polar contacts which are moved to a normal or a reverse position according as energy of normal or reverse polarity i supplied to said conductors, an auxiliary relay having a winding having a first and a second terminal, means including a normal polar contact of said polar relay for connecting the winding of said auxiliary rela across said control w res in multiple with the winding of said polar relay with the first terminal of said relay winding connected to said first control wire and in series with an asymmetric unit poled to permit fiow of energy from said first control wire to said second control wire. and means including a reverse polar contact of said polar relay for connecting the winding of said auxiliary relay across said control wires in multiple with the winding of said polar relay with the first terminal of said relay winding connected to said second control wire and in series with an asymmetric unit poled to permit flow of energy from said second control wire to said first control wire.

2. In combination, a first and a second control conductor, means for at times supplying to said conductors energy of normal polarity in which the positive terminal of the source is connected to said first conductor and for at other times supplying to said conductors energy of reverse polarity in which the positive terminal of the source is connected to said second conductor, a polar relay having its winding connected across said conductors and having polar contacts which are moved to a normal or a reverse position according as energy of normal or reverse polarity is supplied to said conductors, an auxiliary relay having a winding having a first and a second terminal, means including a normal polar conterminal.

tact of said polar relay for connecting the winding of said auxiliary relay across said control wires in multiple with the winding of said polar relay with the first terminal of said relay winding connected to said first control wire and in series with an asymmetric unit poled to permit flow of energy from said first control wire to said second control wire, means including a reverse polar contact of said polar relay for connecting the winding of said auxiliary relay across said control wires in multiple with the winding of said polar relay with the first terminal of said relay winding connected to said second control wire and in series with an asymmetric unit poled to permit fiow of energy from said second control wire to said first control wire, and an asymmetric unit connected across the terminals of the windi of said auxiliary relay and poled to permit flow of energy from the second to the first terminal of said relay winding.

3. In combination, a first and a second control conductor, means for at times supplying to said conductors energy of normal polarity and at other times supplying to said conductors energy of reverse polarity, a. polar relay having its winding connected across said conductors and having polar contacts which are moved to a normal or a. reverse position according as energy of normal or reverse polarity is supplied to said conductors, an auxiliary relay, an asymmetric unit connected in series with the winding of said auxiliary relay, and means including polar contacts of said polar relay for reversibly connecting the winding of the auxiliary-relay and said asymmetric unit across said conductors in multiple with the winding of said polar relay, said means being arranged so that energy of the polarity which will flow through said asymmetric unit will be supplied to the circuit of said auxiliary relay winding and said asymmetric unit when and only when the polar contacts of said polar relay occupy positions corresponding to the polarity of the current supplied to said conductors.

4. In combination, a first and a second control conductor, means for at times supplying to said conductors energy of normal polarity in which the positive terminal of the source is connected to said first conductor and for at other times supplying to said conductors energy of reverse polarity in which the positive terminal of the source is connected to said second conductor, a polar relay having its winding connected across said conductors and having polar contacts which are moved to a normal or a reverse position according as energy of normal or reverse polarity is supplied to said conductors, an auxiliary relay having a winding having a first and a second terminal, a circuit including a normal polar contact of said polar relay for connecting the winding of said auxiliary relay across said control conductors in multiple with the winding of said polar relay with the first terminal of the winding of the auxiliary relay connected to said first conductor, and a circuit including a reverse polar contact of said polar relay for connecting the winding of said auxiliary relay across said control conductors in multiple with the windin of said polar relay with the first terminal of the winding of the auxiliary relay connected to said second conductor, each of said circuits for connecting the auxiliary relay winding across said conductors including in series therewith an asymmetric unit poled to permit flow of energy through the auxiliary relay winding from its first to its second 5. In combination, a first and a second control conductor, means for-at times supplying to said conductors energy of normal polarity in which the positive terminal of the source is connected to said first conductor and for at other times supplying to said conductors energy of reverse polarity in which the positive terminal of the source is connected to said second conductor, a polar relay having its winding connected across said conductors and having polar contacts which are moved to a normal or a reverse position according as energy of normal or reverse polarity is supplied to said conductors, an auxiliary relay, a circuit including a normal polar contact of said polar relay for connecting the winding of said auxiliary relay across said control conductors in multiple with the winding of said polar relay in such manner that energy will flow through the auxiliary relay winding in a given direction if energy of normal polarity is supplied to said conductors, and a circuit including a reverse polar contact of said polar relay for also connecting the winding of said auxiliary relay across said control conductors in multiple with the winding of said polar relay in such manner that energy will, flow through the auxiliary relay winding in said given direction if energy of reverse polarity is supplied to said conductors, each of said circuits for connecting the auxiliary relay winding across said conductors including in series therewith an asymmetric unit poled to permit flow of energy through the auxilary relay winding in said given direction. a

6. In combination, a first and a second control conductor, means for at times supplying to said conductors energy, of normal polarity in which the positive terminal of the source is connected to said first conductor and for at other times supplying to said conductors energy of reverse polarity in which the positive terminal of the source is connected to said second conductor, a polar relay having its winding connected across said conductors and having polar contacts which are moved to a normal or a reverse position according as energy of normal or reverse polarity is supplied to said conductors, an auxiliary relay, a circuit including a normal polar contact of said polar relay for connecting the winding of said auxiliary relay across said conductors in multipl with the winding of said polar relay, and a circuit including a reverse polar contact of said polar relay for also connecting the winding of said auxiliary relay across said conductors in multiple with the winding of said polar relay, each of said circuits being arranged so that energy will flow through the auxiliary relay winding in a given direction if the position of the polar relay contacts corresponds to the polarity of the energy supplied'to said conductors, each of said circuits including in series therewith an asymmetric unit poled to permit flow of energy through the auxiliary relay winding in said given direc tion.

7. In combination, a first and a second control conductor, means for at times supplying to said conductors energy of normal polarity and at other times supplying to said conductors energy of reverse polarity, a polar relay having its winding connected across said conductors and having polar contacts which are moved to a normal or a reverse position according as energy of normal or reverse polarity is supplied to said conductors, and an auxiliary relay having one terminal of its winding connected through a first asymmetric 7 unit to said first control conductor and connected through a second asymmetric unit to said second control conductor, a polar contact of said polar relay being effective according as it is in its normal or its revers position to connect the other terminal of the winding of said auxiliary relay to one or the other of said control conductors.

8. In combination, a first and a second control conductor, means for at times supplying to said conductors energy of normal polarity and at other times supplying to said conductors energy of reverse polarity, a polar relay having its winding connected across said conductors and having polar contacts which are moved to a normal or a reverse position according as energy of normal or reverse polarity is supplied to said conductors, an auxiliary relay having a winding having a first and a second terminal, an asymmetric unit connected across the terminals of said auxiliary relay winding and poled to permit energy to flow from said second to said, first terminal, and cir cuits including a polar contact of said polar relay for reversibly connecting said asymmetric unit and the winding of said auxiliary-relay across said conductors in multiple with the winding of said polar relay, the circuit established in each position of the polar relay contacts for connecting said asymmetric unit and the winding of said auxiliary relay across said conductors including in series therewith an asymmetric unit poled to permit flow of energy of a polarity which flows through the auxiliary relay winding from its first to its second terminal.

ARTHUR L, JEROME. 

